Elizabeth (Blake) Smith, 92, of West Haven, left this world peacefully January 30, 2023. She was predeceased by the love of her life, her husband, George E. Smith; her parents John J and Anna (Moran) Blake; her siblings and sisters-in-law William T. (Marjorie) Blake, John J. (Charlotte) Blake, Thomas R. Blake, and Catherine S. Blake. She is survived by her children, Kevin G. Smith, Christopher J. (Nancy) Smith, Mary-Elizabeth (Richard) Bean, Timothy J. (Linda) Smith, and Brian J. (Colette) Smith; thirteen grandchildren: Kristin (Eduardo) Mariano, Lindsay (Brett) Wehnert, Joshua (Leanne) Bean, Timothy (Erin) Smith, Danielle Bean, Sean Smith, Casey (Nester) Guerra, Ryan Smith, Samantha Smith, Michael Smith, Blake Smith, Olivia Smith, and Georgia Smith; six great grandchildren, with two on the way. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Lucille (Thomas) Blake, and many wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Elizabeth was born April 25, 1930, at home on Kelsey Avenue. She attended Stiles School and St. Lawrence School and graduated from West Haven High School in 1947. She attended St. Raphael Hospital School of Nursing, graduating with her RN in 1951. While in nursing school she met George on a blind date set up by her roommate. She knew the night she met him that he’d be important to her. They courted through nursing school and UConn, and married in 1952. They brought 5 souls into the world. They didn’t have long together, only 17 years, when George passed away when she was 40, with five kids between 10 and 16. She looked for other opportunities to provide for her family, and went back to school to get her bachelor’s degree, while working as a nurse. She worked hard, earned her degree, and went on to a career in the medical and benefits departments of SNET. Her family and friends supported her, proudly presenting her with a Woman of the Year award when she graduated.
What did Elizabeth love? She loved to read murder mysteries and Georgette Heyer and Catherine Cookson novels. She loved chocolate, especially chocolate ice cream, and watching Mary Tyler Moore and the Carol Burnett Show. She loved a good laugh and a cute pair of shoes. She loved being at the beach, and traveling. She loved her community and served as a volunteer nurse for St. John Vianney, and was a member of the West Haven Friends of the Library, and on the Land Trust. What she loved the most, though, were her family and her friends, and she delighted in them all, especially her grandkids and great grandkids. Each person was a treasure to her, and her memory will be cherished by many.
To honor Elizabeth as you go out into the world, be kind, be loving, find a cute pair of shoes or some chocolate (maybe both), and have a good laugh.
The hours for visitation will be held on Thursday February 2, from 4-7pm at the West Haven Funeral Home at the Green, 662 Savin Ave. West Haven, CT. Her funeral procession will leave the funeral home on Friday morning at 9:30 for a Mass of Christian Burial in St. John Vianney Church of St. John XXIII Parish, 300 Captain Thomas Blvd. West Haven CT at 10am. Interment will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery.
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